Thunderstorm Warning in Chicago

By Jake Ricker

Overview

The Tampa Bay Lightning (31-12-3) will take on the Chicago Blackhawks (22-18-6) tonight as the Bolts will look to stop the bleeding, while the Hawks will look to bounce back after two straight losses. This will be the second time these two teams face off as the last matchup ended in a Lighting victory that was decided by a score of 3-2 in OT. The Hawks will look to even the series tonight with a win. Let’s take a look at the game plan for these two teams as they get set to square off.

Tampa’s Outlook and Past

The Bolts have really struggled in their past few games and need to turn things around soon. The Bolts have lost 3 of their last 5 games and have lost their last 3. The Bolts are now 0-2 without Victor Hedman and lost Palat to injury as well, they have also now lost their top spot in the league to the Knights. The Bolts will need their younger stars to step up so they can take back their top spot. This will be the second game of the 8 game road trip and the Bolts can take back their top spot with a win tonight.

Three Keys To The Game

1. Renewed Focus

This slump is killing the Bolts. Time to find some new energy and a winning mindset.

2. Get Well Soon

Palat is now out indefinitely and joins Hedman on the injured list.

3. New Life

Peca and Bournival have been recalled and now with Palat out so there will be line shuffling.

Projected Lines

Offense 

Kunitz – Stamkos – Namestnikov

Johnson – Point – Kucherov

Gourde – Peca – Killorn

Bournival – Paquette – Callahan

Defense

Koekkoek – Stralman

Sergeachev – Girardi

Coburn – Dotchin

Goalies

Andrei Vasilevskiy:  27-8-2   GAA: 227   SV%: .927 (Confirmed)

Injuries

Victor Hedman (3-6 Weeks)

Ondrej Palat (Out Indefinitely)

 

Chicago’s Outlook and Past

The Hawks have had a disappointing season so far and would like to get things turned around. The Hawks have won 2 of their last 5 games but have given up 11 goals in their last 2 games. The Hawks have had a great year in the PK department (82.3%) and will need for that to continue as they face one of the top teams on the power play (24.4%). They can pull within 3 points of a wildcard spot with a win tonight. The Hawks will have one more home game after tonight’s game before heading out on the road.

Three Keys To The Game

1. Patty Kane

Patrick Kane leads the Hawks in Goals, Assists, and Points so the Hawks will want to get the puck to him at all times.

2. Defense

The Hawks have given up 11 goals in their last 2 games. They will need to play better defense if they want to get a win as they face the top team in goals per game (3.52).

3. Take Advantage of Injuries

The Bolts are without Victor Hedman’s and Ondrej Palat, look for the Hawks to put on some pressure quick to try and catch the “new guys” off guard.

Projected Lines

Offense 

Saad – Toews – Duclair

Sharp – Schmaltz – Kane

Debrincat – Amisinov – Hartman

Jurco – Kampf – Hinostroza

Defense

Keith – Oesterle

Gustafsson – Seabrook

Kempny – Murphy

Goalies

Jeff Glass  6-3-2   GAA: 3.34   SV%: 905 (Confirmed)

 

Please keep in mind that all lines are subject to change prior to game time!